Clocks and PA System Have Been Broken in Harlem School All Year

HARLEM — Parents at an elementary school are furious that the building's clocks are broken and the public address system only works in some rooms, a situation they say is not only dysfunctional but dangerous.

At P.S. 242 on West 122nd Street, the announcement system, which is tied to its clocks, is broken in several classrooms. The mounted analog wall clocks do not work anywhere in the building, PTA president Miyonna Milton said.

The problem at the 218-student school has persisted since September, she said.

"With everything going on in school buildings, if anything were to happen, people are going to be missing information," said Milton of the broken PA system. "How do you secure children?"

Principal Denise Gomez, who did not return a request for comment, told concerned parents to lodge a complaint with 311, according to Milton.

But calling 311 isn't enough, Milton said. The complaint "goes in a file and you’re put on a list."

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